Active material particles, electrochemical element, method for producing said active material particles, method for producing said electrochemical element, and electrochemical device

ABSTRACT

An active material particle include a lithium silicate composite particle including a lithium silicate phase, and silicon particles dispersed in the lithium silicate phase, and a first coating that covers at least a portion of a surface of the lithium silicate composite particle; wherein the first coating includes an oxide of a first element other than a non-metal element, and a carbon atom, the first coating has a thickness T1A, an element ratio Rb of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.25T1A of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle, and an element ratio Rt of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.75T1A of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle satisfy Rb&gt;Rt.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates mainly to an improvement in active material particles.

BACKGROUND ART

Along with the diversification of electrochemical device applications, various performance improvements are required. In this regard, Patent Literature 1 proposes covering a surface of the positive electrode and negative electrode with a metal oxide.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   PLT1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2017-97999

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

As one of the characteristics of electrochemical devices, a higher capacity is required. For example, in lithium ion secondary batteries, use of a silicon compound as a negative electrode material has been considered. It is also known that silicon compounds are more susceptible to erosion by side reactions during battery operation than when using a carbon material as the negative electrode material. Therefore, even when a silicon compound is used as the active material particles, it is required to suppress a decrease in the capacity retention rate of electrochemical devices.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an active material particle including a lithium silicate composite particle including a lithium silicate phase, and silicon particles dispersed in the lithium silicate phase; and a first coating that covers at least a portion of a surface of the lithium silicate composite particle, wherein the first coating includes an oxide of a first element other than a non-metal element, and includes a carbon atom, the first coating has a thickness T1_(A), an element ratio Rb of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.25T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle, and an element ratio Rt of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.75T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle satisfy Rb>Rt.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electrochemical element including a current collector and an active material layer supported on the current collector, wherein the active material layer contains the active material particle described above.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electrochemical device comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween, wherein one of the first electrode and the second electrode is composed of the electrochemical element described above.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of producing an active material particle including: a preparation step, of preparing a lithium silicate composite particle including a lithium silicate phase and silicon particles dispersed in the lithium silicate phase, and having at least a portion of a surface thereof covered with a carbon coating including a carbon atom, and a coating formation step, of forming a first coating including an oxide of a first element other than a non-metal element and including the carbon atom on at least a portion of a surface of the lithium silicate composite particle by allowing the lithium silicate composite particle to expose in a gas phase including the first element to introduce the first element in the carbon coating.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of producing an electrochemical element including: a preparation step of preparing a lithium silicate composite particle including a lithium silicate phase, and silicon particles dispersed in the lithium silicate phase, and having at least a portion of a surface thereof covered with a carbon coating including a carbon atom; a supporting step, of allowing the lithium silicate composite particle to be supported on a surface of a current collector; and a coating formation step, of allowing the lithium silicate composite particle to expose in a gas phase including a first element other than a non-metal element to introduce the first element in the carbon coating, to form a first coating including an oxide of the first element and the carbon atom on at least a portion of a surface of the lithium silicate composite particles, thereby to form an active material layer.

According to the present disclosure, the capacity retention rate of an electrochemical device can be increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of an active material particle of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an enlarged main part of the active material particle shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of an active material particle of an embodiment of the present disclosure in detail.

FIG. 4 is a schematic oblique cutaway view of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of producing active material particles of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of producing an electrochemical element of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A. Active Material Particles

An active material particle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a lithium silicate composite particle including lithium and a first coating that covers at least a portion of a surface of the lithium silicate composite particle. The first coating of the lithium silicate composite particle includes an oxide of a first element other than a non-metal element, and includes a carbon atom. Chemical stability of the lithium silicate composite particle can be improved while maintaining electrical conductivity by the first coating. Preferably, the active material particles according to the embodiment of the present disclosure are used as a negative electrode active material for lithium ion secondary batteries.

The closer to the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle, the more the first element is present. As a result, the effects of suppressing erosion of lithium silicate composite particles are improved. Since the first coating further contains the carbon atom, electrical conductivity of the active material particles is improved.

Specifically, the first coating has a thickness T1_(A), and in the first coating, the element ratio Rb of the first element relative to the carbon atom (=first element/carbon atom) at a position of 0.25T1_(A) from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle and the element ratio Rt of the first element relative to the carbon atom (=first element/carbon atom) at a position of 0.75T1_(A) from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle satisfy Rb>Rt. The position of 0.25T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle means a position of 0.25T1_(A) from the interface between the first coating and the lithium silicate composite particle. The position of 0.75T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle means a position of 0.75T1_(A) from the interface between the first coating and the lithium silicate composite particle.

The element ratio Rb and the element ratio Rt may satisfy Rb/Rt>1.3, may satisfy Rb/Rt>2, or may satisfy Rb/Rt>3.

The element ratio (=first element/carbon atom, in the following, named element ratio R) in the first coating can be determined by evaluating the element distribution state (depth profile) using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The thickness T1_(A) of the first coating is divided into four to evaluate the profile at a position of 0.25T1_(A) from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle and a position of 0.75T1_(A) from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle. The element ratio at each position can be determined by performing this evaluation on a plurality of lithium silicate composite particles (e.g., 5) and averaging the results.

The element ratio may be determined by evaluating the first element and carbon atom distributions using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron energy loss-spectroscopy (EELS), or Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) in combination with ion etching.

A mole fraction of the carbon atom and first element in the first coating may be regarded as the element ratio R. The mole fraction can be calculated from volume fractions (%) of the first element and the carbon atom using EDS and the like. The volume fraction (%) can be converted to the mole fraction (%) using the specific gravity (g/cm³) of the atoms and the molecular weight (g/mol) of the atoms.

The element ratio R changes so as to decrease from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particles to the outer side. This change can be continuous, or stepwise, and it only needs to be grasped as an overall trend.

For example, the depth profiles at a plurality of positions with different distances (e.g., five positions) from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle on the straight line in the thickness direction of the first coating are evaluated by EDS, and the element ratio R at each position is calculated. The element ratio R thus calculated is plotted in a graph where the lateral axis is the distance from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle and the vertical axis is the element ratio R. From this graph, when the approximation straight line or the approximation curved line obtained by the least squares method falls to the right, it can be judged that element ratio R decreases from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle to the outer side as an overall trend.

[Lithium Silicate Composite Particles]

The lithium silicate composite particles of the embodiment each include a lithium silicate phase, and silicon particles dispersed in the lithium silicate phase. The lithium silicate composite particles have a lithium silicate phase of a sea-portion, and silicon particles as an island-portion in a sea-island structure.

The lithium silicate composite particles are usually present as secondary particles in which a plurality of primary particles are coagulated. First coating covers at least a portion of a surface of the secondary particle. The primary particles each include a lithium silicate phase and silicon particles dispersed in the lithium silicate phase.

The particle size of the lithium silicate composite particles is not particularly limited. The average particle size of the lithium silicate composite particles may be, for example, 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less. The average particle size of the lithium silicate composite particles means the particle size (volume average particle size) at which volume integrated value is 50% in volume particle size distribution measured by a laser diffraction scattering method.

(Lithium Silicate Phase)

The lithium silicate phase (hereinafter, sometimes may be referred to simply as silicate phase) does not have many sites capable of reacting with lithium, and thus does not easily cause a new irreversible reaction during charge/discharge. Thus, it exhibits excellent charge/discharge efficiencies at the initial stage of charge/discharge.

The silicate phase is an oxide phase containing Li, Si, and O. The atomic ratio (=O/Si) of O to Si in the silicate phase is, for example, more than 2 and less than 3. With the O/Si in this range, it is advantageous in terms of stability and lithium ion conductivity.

The silicate phase is represented by Li_(2z)SiO_(2+z) (z is 0<z<1). In view of stability, ease of manufacture, lithium ion conductivity, etc., z=½ is more preferable.

The silicate phase may further contain an element M. M can be at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, Be, Mg, Al, B, Zr, Nb, Ta, La, V, Y, Ti, P, Bi, Zn, Sn, Pb, Sb, Co, Er, F, and W. Above all, B has a low melting point, which is advantageous for improving flowability of molten silicate. In addition, Al, Zr, Nb, Ta, and La can improve Vickers hardness while maintaining ion conductivity of the silicate phase. The element M is contained, for example, at 10 mol % or less, or 5 mol % or less, relative to a total amount of the element other than O contained in the silicate phase.

(Silicon Particles)

The silicon particles dispersed in the silicate phase have a particulate phase of elemental silicon (Si), and are composed of a single or a plurality of crystallites. The crystallite size of the silicon particles is not particularly limited. The crystallite size of the silicon particles is preferably 10 nm or more and 30 nm or less, more preferably 15 nm or more and 25 nm or less. When the crystallite size of silicon particles is 10 nm or more, the surface area of the silicon particles can be kept small, so that deterioration of the silicon particles involving generation of an irreversible capacity hardly occurs. The crystallite size of the silicon particles is calculated by the Sheller's equation from the half width of the diffraction peak assigned to the Si (111) plane of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the silicon particles.

In order to increase the capacity and improve cycle characteristics, the content of the silicon particles in the lithium silicate composite particles may be, for example, 30 mass % or more and 80 mass % or less. By setting the content of the silicon particles to 30 mass % or more, the ratio of the silicate phase is reduced, and the initial charge/discharge efficiency is easily improved. By setting the content of the silicon particles to 80 mass % or less, the degree of expansion and contraction of the lithium silicate composite particles during charging and discharging can be easily reduced.

(Carbon Phase)

The lithium silicate composite particles may each include a carbon phase along with the silicate phase and the silicon particle. The carbon phase covers at least a portion of a surface of, for example, the silicon particle, and is present in at least a portion of an interface of the adjacent primary particles.

The content of the elements contained in the lithium silicate composite particles can be calculated by SEM-EDS spectrometry using a powder sample of the lithium silicate composite particles under, for example, a discharged state. The powder sample is analyzed to determine a spectrum intensity of the respective elements. Then, a standard sample of a commercially available element is used to create a calibration curve, and the content of the respective elements contained in the silicate phase is calculated.

The respective elements in the lithium silicate composite particles can be quantified also by ICP-AES analysis (inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), laser ablation ICP mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the like.

[First Coating]

The first coating covers at least a portion of a surface of the lithium silicate composite particle, which is a secondary particle.

The first coating includes an oxide of the first element other than a non-metal element and a carbon atom. The oxide and carbon atoms are mixed and present in the first coating. However, as described above, the closer to the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle, the more the first element is present.

The average element ratio R_(A) of the first element relative to the carbon atom in the first coating is not particularly limited. The element ratio R_(A) can be, for example, 0.01 or more and 99 or less. In other words, when the element ratio R_(A) is 0.01 or more and 99 or less, the coating is the first coating containing the first element and the carbon atom.

The element ratio Rb of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.25T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle is not particularly limited. The element ratio Rb may be, for example, 5 or more and 99 or less, 10 or more and 99 or less, or 20 or more and 99 or less.

The element ratio Rt of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.75T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle is not particularly limited. The element ratio Rt may be, for example, 0.01 or more and 10 or less, or 0.01 or more and 5 or less.

The first element is an element other than non-metal elements, and includes metal elements and so-called half metal elements. Preferably, the first element may contain at least one element selected from the group consisting of Group 3 elements, Group 4 elements, Group 5 elements, and Group 6 elements of the periodic table in that the lithium silicate composite particles are highly effective in suppressing corrosions. Preferably, in particular, the first element may include at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, Si, Zr, Mg, Nb, Ta, Sn, Ni, and Cr.

When two or more kinds of oxide are included, the oxides may be present in a mixed state, or may be arranged separately in a layer form.

Examples of the carbon include amorphous carbon having a low crystallinity such as carbon black, coal, cokes, charcoal, and activated carbon, and graphite having a high crystallinity. Preferably, amorphous carbon is used due to the low hardness and significant buffering action against the silicon particle which changes its volume with charge/discharge. The amorphous carbon can be soft carbon, or hard carbon. Examples of the carbon black include acetylene black and Ketjen Black. Graphite means a material having a graphite type crystal structure, and includes, for example, natural graphite, artificial graphite, graphitized mesophase carbon particles, and the like.

The thickness of the first coating is not particularly limited. In view of suppressing erosion, the thickness of the first coating may be 0.1 nm or more, 0.5 nm or more, or 1 nm or more. In view of electrical conductivity and lithium ion diffusivity, the thickness of the first coating may be 50 nm or less, 10 nm or less, or 2 nm or less. The first coating has a thickness of, for example, 0.1 nm or more and 50 nm or less, or 0.1 nm or more and 10 nm or less.

The thickness of the first coating can be measured by observing the cross sections of the active material particles using SEM or TEM.

First, an electrochemical device is disassembled and an electrochemical element (e.g., electrode) is taken out, and the cross section of the element is obtained using a cross section polisher (CP). From the cross sectional images obtained using SEM or TEM, 10 active material particles with a largest diameter of 5 μm or more are randomly selected. The thickness of the first coating at any five points is measured for each of the particles. An average value of the thickness of a total of 50 points is obtained. After this average value is calculated, an average value is calculated again, excluding data with the value different from the average value by 20% or more. This modified average value is regarded as a thickness T1_(A) of the first coating.

The origin of the first coating is at an interface between the mother particle (described later) formed by the lithium silicate composite particle and the first coating. For example, a point at which the intensity of the peak attributed to Li obtained by SEM-EDS spectrometry is 1/10 or less of the peak attributed to the first element can be regarded as the origin of the first coating. The end point of the first coating can be regarded as, for example, the point at which the intensity of the peak attributed to the first element obtained by SEM-EDS spectrometry is 5% or less of its maximum value. If a second coating is formed, the end point of the first coating is the interface between the first coating and the second coating.

[Second Coating]

At least a portion of the first coating may be covered with a second coating having an electrical conductivity. This further improves electrical conductivity of the active material particles.

The second coating, unlike the first coating, does not contain an oxide of the first element. That the second coating does not contain an oxide of the first element is synonymous with that the intensity of the peak attributed to the first element obtained by SEM-EDS is the detection-limit or less.

The second coating contains a conductive material. Preferably, the conductive material may be a conductive carbon material in that it is electrochemically stable. Examples of the conductive carbon material include carbons contained in the first coating such as the ones described above.

The thickness of the second coating is not particularly limited. Preferably, the second coating is thin enough that it does not substantially affect the average particle size of the lithium silicate composite particles. The thickness of the second coating may be 1 nm or more, or 5 nm or more. The thickness of the second coating may be 200 nm or less, or 100 nm or less. The thickness of the second coating can be measured by observing the cross sections of the lithium silicate composite particles using SEM or TEM as in the case of the first coating.

The origin of the second coating is the interface with the first coating. The end point of the second coating is the outermost point in the active material particles that can be identified by SEM or TEM images. The end point of the second coating can also be a point at which the intensity of the peak attributed to C obtained by SEM-EDS spectrometry is 5% or less of its maximum value.

Preferably, the thickness T1_(A) of the first coating and the thickness T2_(A) of the second coating satisfy the relation 0<T2_(A)/T1_(A)<1500. This makes it easier to achieve both corrosion-resistance and conductivity improvement. Preferably, T2_(A)/T1_(A) is 5 or more, or 10 or more. Preferably, T2_(A)/T1_(A) is 500 or less, or 100 or less.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of an active material particle of an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an enlarged main part of the active material particle shown in FIG. 1 .

An active material particle 20 includes a lithium silicate composite particle 23, a first coating 27 covering its surface, and a second coating 26 covering the first coating 27.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of an example of an active material particle in detail. The lithium silicate composite particle 23 is a secondary particle (mother particle) formed by coagulation of a plurality of primary particles 24. The primary particles 24 each include a silicate phase 21 and silicon particles 22 dispersed in the silicate phase 21. The silicon particles 22 are substantially uniformly dispersed within the silicate phase 21.

A carbon phase is disposed on at least a portion of an interface S of the adjacent primary particles 24. The carbon phase may cover at least a portion of a surface of the silicon particles 22.

The surface of the lithium silicate composite particle (mother particle) 23 is covered with a first coating 27. The first coating 27 is covered with a second coating 26.

B. Electrochemical Element

The electrochemical element according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a current collector and an active material layer supported on the current collector. The active material layer includes the above-described active material particles. Such an electrochemical element is excellent in conductivity and can suppress deterioration, so that a high capacity and long life electrochemical device can be provided.

Examples of the electrochemical element include an electrode. The electrode is at least one of a positive electrode and a negative electrode used for, for example, a secondary battery. Preferably, the electrode according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is used as a negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery.

C. Electrochemical Device

The electrochemical device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween. One of the first electrode and the second electrode is composed of the electrochemical element described above. Such an electrochemical device has a high capacity and a long life.

The electrochemical device is a device that transfers electrons between materials and causes chemical reactions to occur by the transfer of electrons. Examples of the electrochemical device include a primary battery, a secondary battery, a condenser, and a double layer capacitor. Preferably, the electrochemical device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a lithium ion secondary battery using lithium silicate composite particles as a negative electrode active material.

In the following, configurations will be described of a negative electrode, as an example of the electrochemical element according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and a lithium ion secondary battery, as an example of the electrochemical device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[Negative Electrode]

The negative electrode includes, for example, a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer.

The negative electrode active material layer includes a negative electrode active material. The negative electrode active material includes at least the above-described active material particles (hereinafter, may be referred to as first active material). The negative electrode active material layer is formed as a layer including a negative electrode mixture on the surface of the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode active material layer may be formed on one surface of the negative electrode current collector or on both surfaces thereof. The negative electrode mixture includes a negative electrode active material as an essential component, and may include a binder, a conductive agent, a thickener, and the like as an optional component.

The negative electrode active material may include yet another active material (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as second active material). Examples of the second active material include a conductive carbon material that electrochemically stores and releases lithium ions. When the first active material and the conductive carbon material are used in combination, a longer life can be expected.

Examples of the conductive carbon material include graphite, soft carbon, hard carbon, and the like. Preferably, graphite having excellent charge/discharge stability and low irreversible capacity is used. Graphite means a material having a graphite type crystal structure, and includes, for example, natural graphite, artificial graphite, graphitized mesophase carbon particles, and the like. A kind of conductive carbon materials may be used singly, or two or more kinds thereof may be used in combination.

The particle size of the conductive carbon material is not particularly limited. The average particle size of the conductive carbon material may be, for example, 1 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

The ratio of the first active material to the sum of the first and second active materials may be, for example, 3 mass % or more and 30 mass % or less. This allows for both high capacity and long life.

As the negative electrode current collector, a non-porous conductive substrate (metal foil, etc.), and a porous conductive substrate (mesh-body, net-body, punched sheet, etc.) are used. For the material of the negative electrode current collector, stainless steel, nickel, nickel alloy, copper, copper alloy, or the like can be exemplified. The thickness of the negative electrode current collector is not particularly limited, but in view of balance between the strength and weight reduction of the negative electrode, it is preferably 1 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and more preferably 5 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

Examples of the binder include at least one selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylic acid salt, and derivatives thereof. As the polyacrylic acid salt, a Li salt or a Na salt is preferably used. Preferably, a cross-linked lithium polyacrylate is used.

Examples of the conductive agent include: carbon blacks, such as acetylene black; conductive fibers, such as carbon fibers and metal fibers; fluorinated carbon; powders of metal, such as aluminum; conductive whiskers, such as zinc oxide and potassium titanate; conductive metal oxides, such as titanium oxide; and organic conductive materials, such as phenylene derivatives. A kind of conductive agent may be used singly, or two or more kinds thereof may be used in combination.

Examples of the thickener include carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and a modified product thereof (also including salts such as Na salts), a cellulose derivative such as methylcellulose (such as cellulose ether); a saponified product of a polymer having a vinyl acetate unit such as polyvinyl alcohol; a polyether (such as polyalkylene oxide such as polyethylene oxide), and the like. A kind of thickener may be used singly, or two or more kinds thereof may be used in combination.

[Positive Electrode]

The positive electrode includes, for example, a positive electrode current collector, and a positive electrode active material layer formed on the surface of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode active material layer may be formed on one surface of the positive electrode current collector, or may be formed on both surfaces thereof.

The positive electrode active material layer is formed as a layer including a positive electrode mixture on a surface of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode mixture includes a positive electrode active material as an essential component, and may include a binder, a conductive agent, and the like as optional components.

For the positive electrode active material, a lithium composite metal oxide can be used. Examples of the lithium composite metal oxide include LiaCoO₂, LiaNiO₂, LiaMnO₂, Li_(a)Co_(b)Ni_(1−b)O₂, Li_(a)Co_(b)M_(1−b)O_(c), Li_(a)Ni_(1−b)M_(b)O_(c), Li_(a)Mn₂O₄, Li_(a)Mn_(2−b)M_(b)O₄, LiMePO₄, and Li₂MePO₄F. M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Na, Mg, Sc, Y, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, Cr, Pb, Sb, and B. Me includes at least a transition element (e.g., at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni). Here, 0≤a≤1.2, 0≤b≤0.9, and 2.0≤c≤2.3 are satisfied.

As the binder and the conductive agent, those exemplified for the negative electrode can be used. As the conductive agent, graphite such as natural graphite or artificial graphite may be used.

The shape and thickness of the positive electrode current collector can be selected from the shapes and ranges according to the negative electrode current collector. Examples of the material of the positive electrode current collector may be stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, or the like.

[Separator]

The separator is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator is excellent in ion permeability and has suitable mechanical strength and electrically insulating properties. The separator may be, for example, a microporous thin film, a woven fabric, or a nonwoven fabric.

The separator is preferably made of, for example, polyolefin such as polypropylene and polyethylene.

[Electrolyte]

The electrochemical device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure further includes an electrolyte. The electrolyte includes a solvent and a lithium salt dissolved in the solvent. The lithium salt concentration of the electrolyte is, for example, 0.5 mol/L or more and 2 mol/L or less. The electrolyte may contain a known additive.

As the solvent, an aqueous solvent or a nonaqueous solvent is used. As the nonaqueous solvent, for example, a cyclic carbonate, a chain carbonate, a cyclic carboxylate, or the like is used. Examples of the cyclic carbonate include propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), and the like. Examples of the chain carbonate include diethyl carbonate (DEC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). Examples of the cyclic carboxylate include γ-butyrolactone (GBL) and γ-valerolactone (GVL). A kind of nonaqueous solvent may be used singly, or two or more kinds thereof may be used in combination.

Examples of the lithium salt include a lithium salt of chlorine containing acid (LiClO₄, LiAlCl₄, LiB₁₀Cl₁₀, etc.), a lithium salt of fluorine containing acid (LiPF₆, LiBF₄, LiSbF₆, LiAsF₆, LiCF₃SO₃, LiCF₃CO₂, etc.), a lithium salt of fluorine containing acid imide (LiN(SO₂F)₂, LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂, LiN(CF₃SO₂)(C₄F₉SO₂), LiN (C₂F₅SO₂)₂, etc.), a lithium halide (LiCl, LiBr, LiI, etc.) and the like. A kind of lithium salt may be used singly, or two or more kinds thereof may be used in combination.

The structure of the secondary battery can be, for example, a structure in which an electrode group formed by winding a positive electrode and a negative electrode with a separator interposed therebetween and an electrolyte are accommodated in an outer case. Alternatively, instead of the wound-type electrode group, a laminated electrode group can be used, in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are laminated with a separator interposed therebetween. Other forms of electrode group may also be applied. The secondary batteries may be of any form, for example, a cylindrical type, prismatic type, coin type, button type, laminated type, etc.

FIG. 4 is a schematic oblique cutaway view of a prismatic secondary battery of an embodiment of the present disclosure. The battery includes a bottomed prismatic battery case 4, an electrode group 1 and an electrolyte contained within the battery case 4, and a sealing plate 5 which seals the opening of the battery case 4. The electrode group 1 has a negative electrode in the form of a long strip, a positive electrode in the form of a long strip, and a separator interposed therebetween. The electrode group 1 is formed by winding the negative electrode, the positive electrode, and the separator around a flat core and removing the core. The sealing plate 5 has an injection port plugged with a sealing plug 8 and a negative electrode terminal 6 insulated from the sealing plate 5 with a gasket 7.

One end of the negative electrode lead 3 is attached to the negative electrode current collector of the negative electrode by welding, etc. One end of the positive electrode lead 2 is attached to the positive electrode current collector of the positive electrode by welding, etc. The other end of the negative electrode lead 3 is electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal 6. The other end of the positive electrode lead 2 is electrically connected to the sealing plate 5. At the upper part of the electrode group 1, a resin made frame is arranged to isolate the electrode group 1 from the sealing plate 5 and to isolate the negative electrode lead 3 from the battery case 4.

D. Method of Producing Active Material Particles

A method of producing active material particles according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a preparation step of preparing a lithium silicate composite particle including a lithium silicate phase and silicon particles dispersed in the lithium silicate phase, and having at least a portion of a surface of each particles covered with a carbon coating including a carbon atom, and a coating formation step, of forming a first coating including an oxide of a first element other than a non-metal element and including the carbon atom on at least a portion of a surface of each lithium silicate composite particle by allowing the lithium silicate composite particle to expose in a gas phase including the first element to introduce the first element in the carbon coating. With the production method, the first coating is formed by allowing the oxide of the first element to be introduced in the carbon coating covering the lithium silicate composite particles.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of producing active material particles of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(i) Preparation Step of Lithium Silicate Composite Particles (S11)

(i-i) Silicon Particles Preparation

First, silicon particles are prepared.

The silicon particles can be obtained by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), thermal plasma method, physical grinding, or the like.

In the method described below, for example, silicon nanoparticles having an average particle size of 10 nm or more and 200 nm or less can be synthesized. The average particle size of the silicon particles means the particle size (volume average particle size) at which volume integrated value is 50% in volume particle size distribution measured by a laser diffraction scattering method.

(a) Chemical Gas Phase Deposition Method

In a CVD method, for example, silicon particles are formed by oxidizing or reducing a silane compound in a gas phase. The reaction temperature may be set to, for example, 400° C. or more and 1300° C. or less.

As the silane compound, a hydrogenated silicon such as silane or disilane, halogenated silane, alkoxysilane, or the like can be used. As the halogenated silane, dichloro silane, trichloro silane, tetrachloro silane, or the like can be used. As the alkoxysilane, tetramethoxy silane, tetraethoxy silane, tetrabutoxy silane, or the like can be used.

When hydrogenated silane is contacted with an oxidizing gas in, for example, a gas phase, a composite of silicon particles and silicon oxide particles is obtained. That is, the gas phase atmosphere may be an oxidizing gas atmosphere. Silicon oxide is removed, for example, by washing the composite with hydrofluoric acid, and silicon particles are obtained.

When reducing halogenated silane or alkoxysilane, a molten metal formed into fine particles by, for example, an atomizing process may be contacted with the silane compound. As the molten metal, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Zn, Al, or the like can be used. For the atomization gas, an inert gas, halogenated silane, a hydrogen gas, or the like may be used. That is, the gas phase atmosphere may be an inert gas atmosphere or a reducing gas atmosphere.

(b) Thermal Plasma Method

The thermal plasma method is a method in which a raw material of silicon is introduced into a generated thermal plasma to generate silicon particles in a high-temperature plasma. The thermal plasma may be generated by arc discharge, high frequency discharge, microwave discharge, laser beam irradiation, or the like. Among them, high frequency (RF) discharge is desirable in that it is non-pole discharge and the silicon particles are not contaminated with impurities easily.

For example, silicon oxide can be used as the raw material. When the raw material is introduced into plasma, silicon and oxygen in the form of atoms or ions are instantaneously formed, and silicon is combined and solidified to form silicon particles during cooling.

(c) Physical Grinding

Physical grinding (mechanical milling) is a method in which coarse particles of silicon are ground with a grinder such as ball mill or bead mill. The inside of the grinder may be, for example, an inert gas atmosphere.

(i-ii) Covering Silicon Particles with Carbon Phase

At least a portion of a surface of each silicon particle may be covered with a carbon phase.

Examples of the method of covering the silicon particles with a carbon phase include chemical vapor deposition method (CVD), sputtering, atomic layer deposition method (ALD), wet blending, dry blending, and the like. Preferably, CVD and wet blending methods are used.

(a) Chemical Vapor Deposition Method

In the CVD method, silicon particles are introduced into a hydrocarbon based gas atmosphere, and heated to deposit carbon materials generated by thermal decomposition of the hydrocarbon based gas on the particle surface, thereby forming a carbon phase. The temperature of the hydrocarbon based gas atmosphere may be, for example, 500° C. or more and 1000° C. or less. As the hydrocarbon based gas, a chain hydrocarbon gas such as acetylene or methane, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, or xylene can be used.

(b) Wet Blending Method

In the wet blending method, a carbon precursor such as, for example, coal pitch, petroleum pitch, or tar is dissolved in a solvent, and the obtained solution and silicon particles are mixed and dried. Afterwards, the silicon particles covered with the carbon precursor are heated in an inert gas atmosphere, for example, at 600° C. or less, or 1000° C. or less, to carbonize the carbon precursor to form a carbon phase.

(i-iii) Synthesis of Lithium Silicate Composite Particles

A raw material of a silicate phase is prepared.

For the raw material of the silicate phase, a raw material mixture having a raw material Si and a raw material Li at a predetermined ratio can be used. The raw material mixture is dissolved and the melt is passed through a metal roll and flaked, to obtain silicate. Silicate may also be synthesized by solid phase reaction by baking at a temperature of melting point or less without dissolving the raw material mixture.

For the raw material Si, silicon oxide (e.g., SiO₂) is used. As the raw material Li or the raw material element M, a carbonate, an oxide, a hydroxide, a hydride, a nitrate, a sulfate, or the like of lithium or element M can be used, respectively. Preferably, carbonate, oxide, hydroxide, and the like are used.

Silicate is then blended with silicon particles with at least a portion of each of their surfaces covered with a carbon phase (hereinafter, also referred to as carbon covered silicon particles) to mix them. The lithium silicate composite particles are made through steps of, for example, the following.

First, the carbon covered silicon particles and a powder of silicate are mixed at a mass ratio of, for example, 20:80 to 95:5.

A device such as a ball mill is then used to agitate the mixture of the carbon covered silicon particles and silicate. At this time, preferably, an organic solvent is added to the mixture for wet blending. A predetermined amount of an organic solvent may be introduced into the grinding vessel at a time at an initial stage of grinding, or may be intermittently introduced into the grinding vessel dividedly a plurality of times in the grinding process. The organic solvent serves to prevent the object to be ground from adhering to the inner wall of the grinding vessel. As the organic solvent, an alcohol, ether, fatty acid, alkane, cycloalkane, silicate ester, metal alkoxide, or the like can be used.

Subsequently, the mixture is heated at 450° C. or more and 1000° C. or less under increased pressure in, for example, an inert gas atmosphere (e.g., an atmosphere of argon or nitrogen) and sintered. For the sintering, a sintering device capable of pressing under an inert atmosphere, such as hot press, discharge plasma sintering, and the like can be used. Upon sintering, silicate melts and flows to fill the gaps between the silicon particles. As a result, a dense block sintered product having a silicate phase as a sea-portion, and silicon particles as an island-portion can be obtained.

Finally, the sintered product obtained is ground to obtain lithium silicate composite particles. By appropriately selecting the grinding conditions, the lithium silicate composite particles having a predetermined average particle size can be obtained.

(i-iv) Covering Lithium Silicate Composite Particles with Carbon Coating

Next, at least a portion of a surface of each of the lithium silicate composite particles is covered with the carbon coating. The carbon atoms contained in the first coating are derived from this carbon coating.

The carbon coating can be formed on the surface of the lithium silicate composite particles by, for example, a chemical vapor deposition method using a chain hydrocarbon gas such as acetylene or methane as a raw material; or by mixing the lithium silicate composite particles with coal pitch, petroleum pitch, phenol resin, or the like, and heating the mixture to carbonize. Carbon black may be attached to the surface of the lithium silicate composite particles.

Preferably, the carbon coating should be so thin that it does not substantially affect the average particle size of the lithium silicate composite particles. On the other hand, considering that it is a carbon source of the first coating, it is desirable that the thickness of the carbon coating is more than that of the first coating. The carbon coating may be 0.1 nm or more, or 1 nm or more. Considering the diffusivity of lithium ions, the carbon coating is preferably 300 nm or less, and more preferably 200 nm or less. The thickness of the carbon coating can be measured by observing the cross sections of the lithium silicate composite particles using SEM or TEM as in the case of the first coating.

Finally, a step may be performed in which the lithium silicate composite particles having the carbon coating are washed with an acid. By washing the composite particles with, for example, an acidic aqueous solution, an alkaline component of a trace amount which may be present on the surface of the lithium silicate composite particles can be dissolved and removed. As the acidic aqueous solution, an aqueous solution of an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, or carbonic acid, or an aqueous solution of an organic acid such as citric acid or acetic acid can be used.

(ii) Step of Forming First Coating (S12)

The lithium silicate composite particles with the carbon coating are exposed to a gas phase including the first element. Thereby, the first element is introduced into the carbon coating, and a first coating containing an oxide of the first element and a carbon atom is formed on at least a portion of a surface of each lithium silicate composite particle.

Examples of the gas phase method include CVD method, ALD method, physical vapor deposition (PVD) method, etc. Preferably, the ALD method is used because the ALD method can form a first coating in a relatively low temperature. According to the ALD method, the first coating can be formed in an atmosphere of 200° C. or less.

In the ALD method, an organometallic compound (precursor) containing the first element is used as a raw material of the first coating. In the ALD method, a raw material gas containing a vaporized precursor and an oxidizer are alternately supplied to a reaction chamber in which an object is placed. As a result, a layer including the oxide of the first element is formed on the surface of the object.

At least a portion of a surface of the object, i.e., lithium silicate composite particles, is covered with the carbon coating. The first element contained in the raw material gas can pass through this carbon coating to reach the surface of the lithium silicate composite particles. Then, the first element is deposited as it is on the surface of the lithium silicate composite particles. Therefore, more of the first element is located near the surface of the lithium silicate composite particles. The first coating formed includes the carbon atom derived from the carbon coating along with the oxide of the first element.

In the ALD method, self-limiting works, and therefore the first element is deposited on the surface of the object by an atomic layer. In the ALD method, the thickness of the first coating is controlled by the number of cycles, setting the following as 1 cycle: the supply (pulse) of the raw material gas→exhaust (purge) of the raw material gas→supply (pulse) of oxidizer→exhaust (purge) of the oxidizer. Controlling the thickness of the first coating to be the same as that of the carbon coating may place the oxide of the first element throughout the carbon coating, with a concentration gradient to some extent. When the thickness of the first coating is controlled to be thinner than that of the carbon coating, the first coating including the oxide of the first element and the carbon atom is formed on the surface side of the lithium silicate composite particles, and a second coating derived from the remainder of the carbon coating is formed so as to cover this first coating.

The precursor is an organometallic compound containing the first element. As the precursor, various types of organometallic compound conventionally used in the ALD method can be used.

Examples of the precursor containing Ti include bis(t-butylcyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) dichloride (C₁₈H₂₆C₁₂Ti), tetrakis(dimethylamino) titanium(IV) ([(CH₃)₂N]₄Ti, TDMAT), tetrakis(diethylamino) titanium (IV) ([(C₂H₅)₂N]₄Ti), tetrakis(ethylmethylamino) titanium (IV) (Ti[N(C₂H₅)(CH₃)]₄), titanium(IV)(diisopropoxide-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate) (Ti[OCC(CH₃)₃CHCOC(CH₃)₃]₂(OC₃H₇)₂), titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄), titanium(IV) isopropoxide (Ti[OCH(CH₃)₂]₄), and titanium (IV) ethoxide (Ti[O(C₂H₅)]₄) Examples of the precursor containing Al include trimethyl aluminum ((CH₃)₃Al, TMA).

The raw material gas may include a plurality of precursors. The reaction chamber may be supplied with different types of precursors simultaneously or sequentially. Alternatively, the type of precursor included in the raw material gas may be changed for each cycle.

As the oxidizer, an oxidizer conventionally used in the ALD method can be used. Examples of the oxidizer include water, oxygen, ozone, etc. The oxidizer may be supplied to the reaction chamber as a plasma using an oxidizer as a raw material.

The conditions for the ALD method are not particularly limited. The temperature of the atmosphere containing the precursor or oxidizer in the reaction chamber may be 10° C. or more and 200° C. or less, or 25° C. or more and 100° C. or less, in that the first element is more likely to be placed near the surface of the lithium silicate composite particles. From the same standpoint, the pressure in the reaction chamber during processing may be 1×10⁻⁵ Pa or more and 1×10⁵ Pa or less, or 1×10⁻⁴ Pa or more and 1×10⁴ Pa or less.

When the temperature of the atmosphere containing the precursor or oxidizer in the reaction chamber is 10° C. or more and 200° C. or less, and the pressure in the reaction chamber in processing is 1×10⁻⁵ Pa or more and 1×10⁵ Pa or less, the pulse time of the raw material gas may be 0.01 seconds or more, or 0.05 seconds or more, in that the first element is more likely to be placed near the surface of the lithium silicate composite particles. The pulse time of the raw material gas may be 5 seconds or less or 3 seconds or less.

E. Method of Producing Electrochemical Element

An electrochemical element of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the first active material described above. The electrochemical element can be produced by allowing the first active material including the first coating to be supported on a surface of the current collector. This electrochemical element is also obtained by allowing the lithium silicate composite particle covered with the carbon coating to be supported on a surface of the current collector and then forming the first coating by a gas phase method.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of producing an electrochemical element of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The latter producing method includes: a preparation step, of preparing a lithium silicate composite particles each including a silicate phase and silicon particles dispersed in the silicate phase, and having at least a portion of a surface of each of them covered with a carbon coating including a carbon atom; a supporting step, of allowing the lithium silicate composite particles to be supported on a surface of a current collector; and a coating formation step, of forming a first coating including an oxide of a first element other than a non-metal element and including the carbon atom on at least a portion of a surface of each of the lithium silicate composite particles by allowing the lithium silicate composite particles to expose in a gas phase including the first element to introduce the first element in the carbon coating.

(I) Preparation Step of Lithium Silicate Composite Particles (S21)

The lithium silicate composite particles covered with a carbon coating are prepared in the same manner as the steps shown as (i-i) to (i-iv) of the preparation step of the lithium silicate composite particles in the method of producing active material particles.

(II) Supporting Step of Lithium Silicate Composite Particles (S22)

A slurry in which a negative electrode mixture containing the prepared lithium silicate composite particles dispersed in a dispersion medium is applied to the surface of a current collector, and the slurry is dried. As a result, a precursor of the active material layer is formed on the surface of the current collector.

The dispersion medium is not particularly limited, and for example, water, an alcohol such as ethanol, ether such as tetrahydrofuran, an amide such as dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), or a mixture solvent thereof is used.

(III) First Coating Formation Step (S23)

A current collector including the precursor of the active material layer is exposed to a gas phase including the first element. Thereby, the first element is introduced into the carbon coating, and at least a portion of the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle contained in the precursor is covered with the first coating containing the oxide of the first element and the carbon atom. The active material layer is formed in this manner. As the gas phase method, as shown in the above, the ALD method is preferable.

For the precursors and oxidizers used in the ALD method, those exemplified in the step of forming the first coating (ii) to (i-iv) in the method of producing active material particles can be used.

The conditions for the ALD method are not particularly limited. The temperature of the atmosphere containing the precursor or oxidizer may be 10° C. or more and 200° C. or less, 25° C. or more and 100° C. or less in that the first element is more likely to be placed near the surface of the lithium silicate composite particles. From the same standpoint, the pressure in the reaction chamber during processing may be 1×10⁻⁵ Pa or more and 1×10⁵ Pa or less, or 1×10⁻⁴ Pa or more and 1×10⁴ Pa or less.

When the temperature of the atmosphere containing the precursor or oxidizer in the reaction chamber is 10° C. or more and 200° C. or less, and the pressure in the reaction chamber in processing is 1×10⁻⁵ Pa or more and 1×10⁵ Pa or less, the pulse time of the raw material gas may be 0.01 seconds or more, or 0.05 seconds or more, in that the first element is more likely to be placed near the surface of the lithium silicate composite particles. The pulse time of the raw material gas may be 5 seconds or less.

(IV) Rolling Step (S24)

After the first coating is formed, the active material layer may be rolled. The conditions for the rolling are not particularly limited, and the active material layer may be appropriately set to achieve a predetermined thickness or density. As a result, the density of the active material layer is increased, and the capacity of the electrochemical device can be increased.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be specifically described based on Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to the following Examples.

Example 1 [Negative Electrode Production] (1) Preparation of Silicon Particles

Coarse particles of silicon (3N, average particle size 10 μm) were put into a pot (made of SUS, volume: 500 mL) of a planetary ball mill (manufactured by Fritsch Co., Ltd., P-5), and 24 balls made of SUS (diameter: 20 mm) were placed in the pot. The lid was closed, and the mixture was subjected to grinding at 200 rpm to an average particle size of 150 nm, thereby preparing silicon particles.

(2) Covering of Silicon Particles with Carbon Phase

A carbon material was deposited on the surface of the silicon particles by chemical vapor deposition. Specifically, silicon particles were introduced into an acetylene gas atmosphere and heated at 700° C. to thermally decompose the acetylene gas and deposit on the surface of the silicon particles to form a carbon phase. The amount of the carbon material relative to 100 parts by mass of the silicon particles was 10 parts by mass.

(3) Preparation of Lithium Silicate Composite Particles

Silicon dioxide was mixed with lithium carbonate so that the atomic ratio (=Si/Li) was 1.05, and the mixture was baked at 950° C. in air for 10 hours, thereby producing lithium silicate represented by Li₂Si₂O₅ (z=0.5). The obtained lithium silicate was ground to give an average particle size of 10 μm.

The lithium silicate (Li₂Si₂O₅) with an average particle size of 10 μm was mixed with the carbon covered silicon at a mass ratio of 70:30. The mixture was put into a pot (made of SUS, volume: 500 mL) of a planetary ball mill (manufactured by Fritsch Co., Ltd., P-5), and 24 balls made of SUS (diameter: 20 mm) were placed in the pot. The lid was closed, and the mixture was subjected to grinding at 200 rpm for 50 hours in an inert atmosphere.

Next, the powdery mixture was taken out in an inert atmosphere, and baked for 4 hours at 800° C. in an inert atmosphere with a pressure applied by a hot press to obtain a sintered product of the mixture. Afterwards, the sintered product was ground to give lithium silicate composite particles.

The crystallite size of the silicon particles calculated by the Scherrer equation from the diffraction peak attributed to the Si(111) plane by XRD-analysis was 15 nm. In the silicate phase, the Si/Li ratio was 1.0, and the Li₂Si₂O₅ content measured by Si-NMR was 70 mass % (silicon particle content was 30 mass %).

(4) Covering of Lithium Silicate Composite Particles with Carbon Coating

The obtained lithium silicate composite particles were passed through a 40-μm-mesh, mixed with coal pitch (MCP250, JFE Chemical Co., Ltd.), and the mixture of the lithium silicate composite particles and pitch was baked for 5 hours at 800° C. in an inert atmosphere to form a carbon coating on the surface of the lithium silicate composite particles. The amount of the coating by the carbon coating was 5 mass % relative to the total mass of the lithium silicate composite particles and the carbon coating. Afterwards, a sieve was used to obtain particles with an average particle size of 10 μm including the lithium silicate composite particles and the carbon coating formed on its surface. The thickness of the carbon coating was 50 nm.

(5) Preparation of Negative Electrode Precursor

The lithium silicate composite particles with the carbon coating and a second active material (graphite) were mixed at a mass ratio of 5:95 and used as a negative electrode active material. To the negative electrode mixture containing the negative electrode active material, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and polyacrylic acid lithium salt at a mass ratio of 96.5:1:1.5:1, water was added, and then stirred using a mixer (T.K. HIVIS MIX, manufactured by PRIMIX Corporation) to prepare a negative electrode slurry. Then, the negative electrode slurry was applied on a copper foil surface so that the mass of the negative electrode mixture per 1 m² was 190 g, and the coating was dried, thereby producing a negative electrode precursor with a negative electrode active material layer with a density of 1.5 g/cm³ formed on both sides of the copper foil. The thickness of the negative electrode active material layer in the negative electrode precursor was 202 μm.

(6) Formation of First and Second Coatings

The negative electrode precursor was placed in a predetermined reaction chamber and a first coating was formed on the surface of the negative electrode precursor by the ALD method according to the procedures described below.

A precursor (TDMAT) serving as a source of a first element (Ti) was vaporized and supplied to the reaction chamber containing the negative electrode precursor. The pulse time was set to 0.1 seconds. The temperature of the atmosphere containing the precursor in the reaction chamber was controlled to be 200° C., and the pressure of the atmosphere was controlled to be 260 Pa. After 30 seconds, the excess precursor was purged with nitrogen gas so that the surface of the negative electrode precursor was covered with a single molecule layer of the precursor.

Next, the reaction chamber in which the negative electrode precursor was placed was supplied with a vaporized oxidizer (H₂O). The pulse time was set to 0.015 seconds. The temperature of the atmosphere containing the oxidizer was controlled to be 200° C., and the pressure of the atmosphere was controlled to be 260 Pa. After 30 seconds, the excess oxidizer was purged with nitrogen gas.

A first coating containing titanium was formed by repeating a series of operations 22 times: supplying the precursor, purging, supplying the oxidizer, and purging. The first coating was adjusted to be thinner than the carbon coating to simultaneously form a first coating and a second coating covering the first coating.

The first coating was analyzed by SEM, EDS, ICP, etc. The first coating contained Ti and C. The minimum value of the element ratio R of the first element relative to the carbon atom was 0.03, and the maximum value was 8. The thickness T1_(A) of the first coating was 1 nm. The element ratio Rb of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.25T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle was 6.2. The element ratio Rt of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.75T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle was 0.08.

The composition of the second coating was analyzed in the same manner, and the second coating contained C. The thickness T2_(A) of the second coating was 49 nm, and a total of the first coating thickness and the second coating thickness was 50 nm.

After forming the first coating and the second coating, the negative electrode active material layer was rolled to obtain a negative electrode.

[Positive Electrode Production]

To the positive electrode mixture containing lithium cobaltate, acetylene black, and polyvinylidene fluoride at a mass ratio of 95:2.5:2.5, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) was added, and stirred using a mixer (T.K. HIVIS MIX, manufactured by PRIMIX Corporation) to prepare a positive electrode slurry. Then, the positive electrode slurry was applied on an aluminum foil surface, and dried and rolled, thereby producing a positive electrode with a positive electrode active material layer with a density of 3.6 g/cm³ formed on both sides of the aluminum foil. The thickness of the positive electrode active material layer was 138 μm.

[Preparation of Electrolyte]

An electrolyte was prepared by dissolving LiPF₆ in a mixed solvent containing ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC) with a volume ratio of 3:7 at a concentration of 1.0 mol/L.

[Secondary Battery Production]

A tab was attached to the electrodes, and an electrode group was produced by winding the positive electrode and the negative electrode spirally with a separator interposed so that the tabs were positioned at the outermost peripheral portion. The electrode group was inserted into an exterior body made of an aluminum laminate film, dried in vacuo at 105° C. for 2 hours, and then the electrolyte was injected thereinto. The opening of the exterior body was sealed to obtain a secondary battery A1.

Example 2

A first active material was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 to produce a secondary battery A2, except that in the formation of the first and second coatings (6), the series of operations was repeated 44 times: supplying a precursor, purging, supplying an oxidizer, and purging. The thickness T1_(A) of the first coating was 2 nm, the thickness T2_(A) of the second coating was 48 nm, and a total of the first coating thickness and the second coating thickness was 50 nm.

The minimum value of the element ratio R of the first element relative to the carbon atom was 0.03, and the maximum value was 7.4. The element ratio Rb of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.25T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle was 6.1. The element ratio Rt of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.75T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle was 0.1.

Example 3

A first active material was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 to produce a secondary battery A3, except that in the formation of the first and second coatings (6), the series of operations was repeated 100 times: supplying a precursor, purging, supplying an oxidizer, and purging. The thickness T1_(A) of the first coating was 5 nm, the thickness T2_(A) of the second coating was 45 nm, and a total of the first coating thickness and the second coating thickness was 50 nm.

The minimum value of the element ratio R of the first element relative to the carbon atom was 0.03, and the maximum value was 7.2. The element ratio Rb of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.25T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle was 5.7. The element ratio Rt of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.75T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle was 0.11.

Example 4

A first active material was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 to produce a secondary battery A4, except that in the formation of the first and second coatings (6), the series of operations was repeated 200 times: supplying a precursor, purging, supplying an oxidizer, and purging. The thickness T1_(A) of the first coating was 10 nm, the thickness T2_(A) of the second coating was 40 nm, and a total of the first coating thickness and the second coating thickness was 50 nm.

The minimum value of the element ratio R of the first element relative to the carbon atom was 0.03, and the maximum value was 6.8. The element ratio Rb of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.25T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle was 5.0. The element ratio Rt of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.75T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle was 0.12.

Comparative Example 1

An active material was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 to produce a secondary battery B1, except that the covering of the lithium silicate composite particles with the carbon coating (4) and the formation of the first and second coatings (6) were not performed.

Comparative Example 2

An active material was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 to produce a secondary battery B2, except that the formation of the first and second coatings (6) was not performed. The active material was covered with a carbon coating with a thickness of 50 nm.

Comparative Example 3

An active material was produced in the same manner as in Example 4 to produce a secondary battery B3, except that the covering of the lithium silicate composite particles with the carbon coating (4) was not performed. The lithium silicate composite particles were covered with a coating containing titanium oxide, and its thickness was 10 nm.

[Initial Charge/Discharge]

The batteries were subjected to constant current charging at 25° C. at a current of 1 C until the battery voltage reached 4.2 V, and then to constant voltage charging at a voltage of 4.2 V until the current reached 1/20 C. After 10 minutes of rest, the batteries were subjected to constant current discharging at a current of 1 C until the voltage reached 2.75 V.

[Charge/Discharge Cycle Test]

Charge/discharge was repeated under the following conditions.

<Charge>

Constant current charging was performed at 25° C. at a current of 1 C until the voltage reached 4.2 V, and constant voltage charging was performed at a voltage of 4.2 V until the current reached 1/20 C.

<Discharge>

Constant current discharging was performed at 25° C. at a current of 1 C until the voltage reached 2.75 V.

The resting time was 10 minutes between the charging and discharging. The ratio of the discharge capacity at 100th cycle relative to that of the 1st cycle was regarded as a capacity retention rate. Furthermore, a direct current internal resistance (DCIR) was obtained from the voltage change before and after the 1st cycle charge/discharge and the discharge current. Table 1 shows the evaluation results.

TABLE 1 Element ratio of first Element ratio of first Capacity coating at 0.25T1A coating at 0.75T1A retention rate Battery First element First element/C First element/C DCIR (mΩ) (%) A1 Ti  5  4.8 110 87 A2 Ti  4.5  4.1 112 89 A3 Ti  3.6  3.2 119 91 A4 Ti  2.2  1.8 128 87 B1 — — —  98 80 B2 —  0/100  0/100 101 81 (※ Carbon coating) (※ Carbon coating) B3 Ti 100/0 100/0 139 84

From Table 1, it can be seen that the capacity retention rate is greatly improved while the increase of the internal resistance is suppressed in the batteries A1 to A4.

Example 5

A first active material was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 to produce a secondary battery A5, except that TMA was used as a precursor. The first coating and the second coating were analyzed by SEM, EDS, ICP, etc. The first coating contained Al and C. The element ratio Rb and the element ratio Rt were confirmed to satisfy Rb>Rt. The composition of the second coating was analyzed in the same manner and the second coating contained C. The sum of the thickness of the first coating and the thickness of the second coating was 50 nm.

Example 6

A first active material was produced in the same manner as in Example 2 to produce a secondary battery A6, except that TMA was used as a precursor.

The first coating and the second coating were analyzed by SEM, EDS, ICP, etc. The first coating contained Al and C. The element ratio Rb and the element ratio Rt were confirmed to satisfy Rb>Rt. The composition of the second coating was analyzed in the same manner and the second coating contained C. The sum of the thickness of the first coating and the thickness of the second coating was 50 nm.

Example 7

A first active material was produced in the same manner as in Example 3 to produce a secondary battery A7, except that TMA was used as a precursor. The first coating and the second coating were analyzed by SEM, EDS, ICP, etc. The first coating contained Al and C. The element ratio Rb and the element ratio Rt were confirmed to satisfy Rb>Rt. The composition of the second coating was analyzed in the same manner and the second coating contained C. The sum of the thickness of the first coating and the thickness of the second coating was 50 nm.

The capacity retention rate and DCIR of the produced secondary batteries A5 to A7 were obtained in the same manner as the secondary battery A1 and the like. Table 2 shows evaluation results.

TABLE 2 First DCIR Capacity retention rate Battery element (mΩ) (%) A5 A1 114 87 A6 A1 114 88 A7 A1 122 89 B1 —  98 80 B2 — 101 81

From Table 2, it can be seen that the capacity retention rate is greatly improved while the increase of the internal resistance is suppressed in the batteries A5 to A7.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure can provide a high capacity, long life electrochemical device. The electrochemical device of the present disclosure is useful for a main power source of mobile communication device, mobile electronic device, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 Electrode Group -   2 Positive Electrode Lead -   3 Negative Electrode Lead -   4 Battery Case -   5 Sealing Plate -   6 Negative Electrode Terminal -   7 Gasket -   8 Sealing Plug -   20 Active Material Particle -   21 Silicate Phase -   22 Silicon Particle -   23 Lithium Silicate Composite Particle -   24 Primary Particle -   26 Second Coating -   27 First Coating 

1. An active material particle comprising a lithium silicate composite particle including a lithium silicate phase, and silicon particles dispersed in the lithium silicate phase, and a first coating that covers at least a portion of a surface of the lithium silicate composite particle, wherein the first coating includes an oxide of a first element other than a non-metal element, and a carbon atom, the first coating has a thickness T1_(A), an element ratio Rb of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.25T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle, and an element ratio Rt of the first element relative to the carbon atom at a position of 0.75T1_(A) of the first coating from the surface of the lithium silicate composite particle satisfy Rb>Rt.
 2. The active material particle of claim 1, wherein the element ratio Rb and the element ratio Rt satisfies Rb/Rt>1.3.
 3. The active material particle of claim 1, wherein the element ratio Rb is 5 or more and 99 or less.
 4. The active material particle of claim 1, wherein the element ratio Rt is 0.01 or more and 10 or less.
 5. The active material particle of claim 1, wherein the first element is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Group 3 elements, Group 4 elements, Group 5 elements, and Group 6 elements of a periodic table.
 6. The active material particle of claim 1, wherein the first element includes at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, Si, Zr, Mg, Nb, Ta, Sn, Ni, and Cr.
 7. The active material particle of claim 1, wherein the thickness T1_(A) of the first coating is 0.1 nm or more and 50 nm or less.
 8. The active material particle of claim 1, wherein the active material particle further comprises an electrically conductive second coating that covers at least a portion of the first coating and that is different from the first coating.
 9. The active material particle of claim 8, wherein the second coating includes a carbon atom.
 10. The active material particle of claim 8, wherein the thickness T1_(A) of the first coating and the thickness T2_(A) of the second coating satisfy the relation of 0<T2_(A)/T1_(A)<1500.
 11. An electrochemical element comprising a current collector, and an active material layer supported on the current collector, wherein the active material layer contains the active material particles of claim
 1. 12. An electrochemical device including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween, wherein one of the first electrode and the second electrode is composed of the electrochemical element of claim
 11. 13. A method of producing an active material particle comprising: a preparation step, of preparing a lithium silicate composite particle including a lithium silicate phase and silicon particles dispersed in the lithium silicate phase, and having at least a portion of a surface thereof covered with a carbon coating including a carbon atom, and a coating formation step, of forming a first coating including an oxide of a first element other than a non-metal element and including the carbon atom on at least a portion of a surface of the lithium silicate composite particle by allowing the lithium silicate composite particle to expose in a gas phase including the first element to introduce the first element in the carbon coating.
 14. The method of producing an active material particle of claim 13, wherein the coating formation step is performed by an atomic deposition method.
 15. A method of producing an electrochemical element comprising: a preparation step of preparing a lithium silicate composite particle including a lithium silicate phase, and silicon particles dispersed in the lithium silicate phase, and having at least a portion of a surface thereof covered with a carbon coating including a carbon atom, a supporting step, of allowing the lithium silicate composite particle to be supported on a surface of a current collector, and a coating formation step, of allowing the lithium silicate composite particle to expose in a gas phase including a first element other than a non-metal element to introduce the first element in the carbon coating, to form a first coating including an oxide of the first element and the carbon atom on at least a portion of a surface of the lithium silicate composite particle, thereby to form an active material layer.
 16. The method of producing an electrochemical element of claim 15, wherein the coating formation step is performed by an atomic layer deposition method.
 17. The method of producing an electrochemical element of claim 15, further comprising a rolling step, in which the active material layer is rolled after the coating formation step. 